Growth milestones for children - 2 years

Alternative names 
Developmental milestones record - 2 years; Normal childhood growth milestones - 2 years; Childhood growth milestones - 2 years

Definition
This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 2 year-old children.

Information

Physical and motor-skill markers:

     
  • Should have the first 16 teeth (can be a wide discrepancy)  
  • The height is roughly half the total height the child will attain as an adult  
  • May be psychologically ready for toilet training  
  • Can run with better coordination, while the stance may remain wide  
  • Can kick ball without losing balance  
  • Can build a tower of 6 to 7 cubes  
  • Can browse through a book one page at a time  
  • Able to turn a door knob  
  • Can pick up objects while standing without losing balance (often occurs by 15 months, and would be concerning if you don’t see it by 2 years)

Sensory and cognitive markers:

     
  • Vision fully developed  
  • Vocabulary has increased to about 300 words  
  • Can organize phrases of 2 to 3 words  
  • Able to communicate needs such as thirst, hunger, need to use the restroom  
  • Increased attention span  
  • Able to clothe self in simple apparel (frequently more adept at removing clothes than putting them on)

Play recommendations:

     
  • Encourage and provide the necessary space for physical activity  
  • Provide safe replicas of adult tools and equipment  
  • Allow the child to help around the house and participate in the daily responsibilities of the family  
  • Encourage play that involves building and creativity  
  • READ TO THE CHILD  
  • Try to avoid watching television at this age (recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics)  
  • Control the type and quantity of games played

 

Johns Hopkins patient information

Last revised: December 5, 2012
by Potos A. Aagen, M.D.

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